QUESTIONS. (Hansard, 26 February 1883)

§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKE
asked Her Majesty's Government, Whether a current report is true in regard to privations recently undergone by the light-keepers at Eddystone Lighthouse; and, if so, whether they have ordered an inquiry to be made?

THE EARL OF MOUNT-EDGCUMBE
asked Her Majesty's Government, Whether there is any intention of laying a telegraph cable from Plymouth to the Eddystone Lighthouse?

§ LORD SUDELEY
My Lords, in reply to the noble Earls, I have to state that although some of the reports which appeared in the Press have been exaggerated, it is undoubtedly true that the relief of the Eddystone has been delayed through very exceptionally boisterous weather eight weeks beyond the proper period. The keepers, who should have come on shore 824 on the 28th of December, were not landed until the 20th of February. There appears to be nearly always some delay in the December reliefs, but this is the longest on record. During that period there were three or four days on which it is alleged the relief could have been attempted with some chance of success, and this is being inquired into. The relieving steamer for Eddystone is a contract vessel not belonging to the Trinity House. The district in which that lighthouse is included has its headquarters at Penzance; and as its steam vessel is stationed there, a special arrangement is made for the Eddystone to secure better service. The Great Western Dock Company's steamer, hired for that work, is stated to have been otherwise engaged at those times. This matter is under investigation. The keepers have a money allowance for food, and victual themselves by their own preference; but a reserve is kept in store upon which they can draw in case they fall short. This store was, or should have been, sufficient to last two months; but as the principal keeper is still on the rock, the reason of its earlier failure cannot yet be ascertained. This also is under inquiry. Signals were made from the rock on the 5th of February for glass lamp-chimneys; but none for provisions, so far as is at present known, until the 19th of February. When the men were relieved it was found that they had finished their reserve stock of tinned meat, and were living on biscuit, and had enough for two days more, together with a little flour, plenty of water, but no coal. If the relief had then proved impracticable, supplies would have been floated to them in the usual way. The men were at that time naturally depressed and anxious, but they were able to hail the boat and help in landing stores when the relief came, and are reported to be all in good health and spirits. The Trinity House propose to increase the reserve stock of provisions for the future. No telegraphic communication between the rock and the shore has ever been contemplated as necessary for lighthouse service, and it does not appear that the delay in relief was at all attributable to want of knowledge of the position of affairs in the lighthouse. As to communication for other purposes, such as signalling a wreck, &c, between the 825 shore and outlying lightships, the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House have had for some time past, and still have, the question under consideration.

§ EARL STANHOPE
said, he did not think the answer given was altogether satisfactory. He trusted the noble Lord would draw the attention of the Board of Trade and of the Trinity House to the immense importance of having telegraphic communication with Eddystone. The very fact of men being taken off in a dispirited condition showed the necessity of improved communication with the shore; besides which it was important to give notice of ships in distress at the earliest possible moment.

§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKE
said, he hoped that the lighthouse on Wolf Rock, which was in a more dangerous and isolated position, would also not be overlooked in the matter of communication, as a means of rendering assistance to a vessel in distress.

THE EARL OF MOUNT-EDGCUMBE
said, that it was a very serious matter that the men at such an important position as Eddystone should be left without food. He thought it was extremely curious that they had not been relieved, when it was stated that they might have been reached on several occasions.

§ LORD SUDELEY
said, he thought he had explained that it was the practice to have provisions in the lighthouse for two months, and the last period of two months did not expire till the 28th of February. It was supposed, therefore, that there was a sufficient quantity of provisions in the lighthouse. With reference to the remark of the noble Earl, he could only repeat that the whole subject of telegraphic communication with lighthouses and lightships was under consideration.